It’s no secret that OnePlus is winding up the hype machine in preparation for launching its latest flagship, the OnePlus 6. We already know the specifications the OnePlus 6 will likely feature, the presence of a notched display that can be switched on and off via software settings, and even the tie-up with the upcoming Avenger: Infinity Wars blockbuster. The OnePlus Twitter account hinted on the weekend that the new handset could have a glass or even ceramic rear panel. Today, the CEO of OnePlus, Pete Lau, confirmed on the company’s forums that the OnePlus 6 would indeed follow the trend and sport a glass back.

Thanks to the sketches posted by the OnePlus CEO, it looks like the OnePlus 6 will offer a curvier, shinier design and possibly some brighter color options than seen on previous models such as the OnePlus 5 and 5T. Besides keeping the company’s signature ‘horizon line and characteristic curve, the glass panel will also boast a 5-layer Nanotech Coating that will “give the back of the device a stronger impression of depth.” The OnePlus CEO also said that:

“In addition to retaining the horizon design, we’ve also tried to incorporate glass materials on OnePlus 6. Although OnePlus is not the first manufacturer to use glass, we are confident that we are providing users with our interpretation of a familiar material.”

With a glass rear panel, it’s likely that the OnePlus 6 will feature the type of gradient finish seen on Huawei’s P20 and P20 Pro handsets, and the upcoming Honor 10.

Does the move to a glass rear panel heighten your anticipation, or would you prefer OnePlus to stick with an aluminum design language? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.

He's been an Android fan ever since owning an HTC Hero, with the Dell Streak being his first phablet. He currently carries a Pixel 2 XL, Huawei P20 Pro, and a Huawei MediaPad M5 (8.4) in his pockets and thinks nothing of lugging a 17-inch laptop around in his backpack. When not immersed in the world of Android and gadgets, he's an avid sports fan, and like all South Africans, he loves a good Braai (BBQ).